Author Gail Gauthier's Reflections On Children's Books, Writing, And The World of Children's Publishing

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

She Says It All About The Latest Artemis

I just finished reading Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer. I think I'm just going to refer you to this review by Linda Buckley-Archer. As she says, there are many "comic delights" to be had in this book. (Mulch Diggums is close to being my favorite character in this series). But, yes, "electing to have a hero who annoys and a villain who elicits sympathy does run the risk of sapping the narrative energy." And I do have to agree that we're talking "plotting that doesn't entirely satisfy." But without a doubt the book is filled with "humour and brilliant inventiveness."

As far as the plotting goes, this is book 7 in the series, and I have a feeling I may have missed book 6. There are definitely references to action that is unfamiliar to me. I was able to follow the book, nonetheless, but may have enjoyed it more if I'd planned my reading better. The series seems to have become more of a serial, and readers need to accept serials for what they are and plan their reading accordingly. I stumbled there.

Read 6 first!

Now I will go back to my own work in progress and its plotting that doesn't entirely satisfy me.

About Me

I'm the author of eight books for children and young adults, all published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. I've republished Saving the Planet & Stuff as an eBook. Now I have experience wading in both the traditional and self-publishing pools. My essays have been published at The Millions and Literary Mama, and my short stories at Alimentum and Cricket. I have been blogging at Original Content for eleven years.